WHO-AIMS Instrument Version 2.2

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Overview

The World Health Organization Assessment Instrument for Mental Health Systems (WHOAIMS) is a WHO tool for collecting essential information on the mental health system of a country or region. The goal of collecting this information is to improve mental health systems and to provide a baseline for monitoring the change. WHO-AIMS is primarily intended for assessing mental health systems in low and middle income countries, but is also a valuable assessment tool for high resource countries. WHO-AIMS 2.2 consists of 6 domains, 28 facets and 156 items to cover the key aspects of mental health systems.

In addition, it includes other resources, such as a data entry programme and a template for writing a country report, which allows countries to efficiently collect data and then quickly translate that information into knowledge that can assist planning.

The implementation of WHO-AIMS can generate information on strengths and weaknesses to facilitate improvement in mental health services. WHO-AIMS will enable countries to develop information-based mental health plans with clear base-line information and targets. It will also be useful to monitor progress in implementing reform policies, providing community services, and involving users, families and other stakeholders in mental health promotion, prevention, care and rehabilitation.